Mechanized boat ban during Monsoon: Fish imported from other states reaches local markets

Team Udayavani, Jun 24, 2024, 12:15 PM IST

Malpe: With mechanized fishing banned during the monsoon season, only traditional fishing boats are currently allowed to operate.

To meet the demand for fish along the coast, supplies are being brought in from Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, which are in high demand. Every day, around 15 vehicles transport tons of fish to the Malpe market.

In Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Kerala, fishing is prohibited during this period. However, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu on the Eastern coast do not have such restrictions at this time. When the fishing season starts in Karnataka, the ban will still be in effect there.

Fish such as bootayi (sardines), and small-sized bangude (mackerel) are being imported from Odisha; bootayi and small bangude from Andhra Pradesh; and a small quantity of bootayi from Tamil Nadu.

Fish availability is low, and only a limited quantity of sardines is available, according to traders. Despite the monsoon, daily transactions worth lakhs of rupees take place.

Prices soar

Compared to the last two months, the prices of all fish varieties have increased significantly. A box of 25 kg small bangude (16-18 fish per kg) is sold at Rs 4,000. Bootayi is priced between Rs 5,500-6,000 per box, with 20-22 fish per kg.

“Every year during the monsoon season, fish from other states are brought in and sold. Currently, fish are being imported from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. This time, fish supply is low, leading to higher prices. Once the local traditional fishing boats catch fish, the demand for fish from other states will decrease,” said Dinesh G. Suvarna, a fish trader at Malpe.

“Until last year, fish trading activities during the monsoon took place within the port area. This year, the Malpe Fish Trade Center has been opened outside the port area on the land belonging to the Fisheries Department, where fish from other states are now being received and traded,” said Vinay Karkera, Secretary of Fish Traders Association, Malpe.